Cartagena Reports

[Mr Gogo]

Maybe it's because I lived in Boca chica Dominican Republic for two years, but I haven't had any problems with the touts in Cartagena. Boca chica has the most aggressive touts in all the Caribbean. It's all in the attitude and vibe you give off. I walk around like they are invisible and I don't hear them. These guys are trained hustlers and read body language and emotions.

The entry questions are designed to give them information and draw you into their trap: where are you from?, I remember you?, my friend and my brother are the entry setup. Just looking at them is all they need. Getting agitated falls into their plan, they got you.

It's funny because I was sitting with my buddy yesterday at an outdoor cafe in the walled city and every tout went to him and never to me even though I'm sitting right next to him. He said damn why are they fucking with him and not me. I explained he was paying attention to them and then he felt he owed them an explanation. Saying I don't have money, or I'm sorry but I just brought something only adds to their game which is to get you to talk and sympathize with them. Nice guy shit don't work.

I guess it's hustlers code, because I don't see or hear them so they know I'm up on their bullshit and leave me alone.

[Kafka]

Yes, that s what I experienced. Very difficult scene at night, just not fun in the street.

And with the proliferation of boomboxes on the beach it's become extremely noisy. In fact it's noise all over town something that they're trying to take steps to deal with but I feel not very successfully. There's actually a number you can call to complain about the noise but don't know what it is.

I got no problem with the existence of touts trying to make a buck. I agree that this better than crime, better than doing nothing, better even than just begging. I have bought drinks, I have bought craft jewelry, I have bought hats and sunglasses, I do have a problem with all of them who do not know how to take no for an answer. I have a bigger problem with the fact that they have grown more and more intrusive.

I have been going to Cartagena for over ten years and it was never as bad as it is now. Not all of these people have anything to sell either. I was negotiating to pick up a cute blonde off a bench in Plaza de LOS Coches and while I was trying to negotiate a price and services with the chica I had a guy in my ear interrupting me trying to get me to buy jewelry, and then there had been a kid about thirteen years old sitting next to her starts telling me that she is his chica and I have to pay him so I can take her, he follows us all the way from the benches across the plaza, out the gate under the clock tower and down the sidewalk to the front of the taxi que yelling that I owe him money. So I tell her to translate and I say to him: since you feel so strongly about this we should probably let the police decide and I point out that there are some just up the sidewalk, then I mention that pimping is illegal in Colombia so he might have a harder time explaining why I owe him money to the police. Then we just get in the taxi and leave.

That's not someone trying to make an honest living, that's just a pest. The guy trying to talk in my ear while I was trying to negotiate with the chica never stood a chance of me buying anything from him. Too intrusive. I had similar experiences when I was trying to take photos with my DSLR around Plaza de San Pedro Claver, I would be trying to focus in with the camera to my eye and people would interrupt me. It didn't used to be this way.

When they go from being assertive to being intrusive to the point of being almost aggressive and they are interfering with what my actual reason for being there is they cross a line, I lose any desire to support their efforts.

[Tomasb]

Thanks for your opinion on Rincon Del Mar. Another poster here did not think highly of it but from what I have read previously and your comments, there are hints that it might be a hidden gem. However, a quick Google travel time inquiry stated it was 2 hours, 18 m from Cartagena. Google agreed with your stated drive time to Mompox from Cartagena with a 4 HR 55 m drive time. A bus does not sound like a good way to go there in that event. I can just imagine the condition of the bus. What do you think a private car would cost? If I rented a car, are the roads safe to drive for a tourist?

Mompox is a destination not very visited by foreign tourists, the only access route is by land and it is about 5 hours from Cartagena, but I do not recommend going by bus, preferably renting a car or take a private service would be a much better option for safety, on the other hand, Rincon del Mar is a small fishing village, located on the western part of the Caribbean coast, 4 hours from Cartagena, Rincon is a hidden paradise. There are different hostels and two slightly higher standard establishments, and also the San Bernardo Islands are only 45 minutes away by boat.

Regards.

[GrownMan1]

Friend, as I explained to you on WhatsApp, that day I had an emergency and I had to leave the city, I hope to meet you the next time you return to Cartagena, you are always welcome and as I told you this is not my business I only try to help them have a good time in my city.

Regards,

Onfireboy.

No problem Sir. I hope we get a chance to meet.

[OnFireBoy]

Your information is good but your reliability is in question. You send me a photo of one girl and I said she was nice. You never responded after that. That was three days ago. I'm not mad at you good luck in your " Chica / gringo connection business.

Friend, as I explained to you on WhatsApp, that day I had an emergency and I had to leave the city, I hope to meet you the next time you return to Cartagena, you are always welcome and as I told you this is not my business I only try to help them have a good time in my city.

Regards,

Onfireboy.

[OnFireBoy]

I appreciate the information and hospitality. Unfortunately I'm unable to PM on here to get your contact and take you up on that offer.

No problem, Any information you need just tell me here, no PM is needed for that.

[OnFireBoy]

Wondering if anyone here has ever strayed to Mompos or Mompox during a visit to CTG. Obviously, not a mongering destination but I have read it's a beautiful little town and one of the 'pueblo patrinomio' designated villages / towns in Colombia. I plan to come to CtG and stay a few weeks and looking for some other diversionary activities whilst in the area. Also interested in going to Rincand Del Mar, a beach town south of CTG.

Mompox is a destination not very visited by foreign tourists, the only access route is by land and it is about 5 hours from Cartagena, but I do not recommend going by bus, preferably renting a car or take a private service would be a much better option for safety, on the other hand, Rincon del Mar is a small fishing village, located on the western part of the Caribbean coast, 4 hours from Cartagena, Rincon is a hidden paradise. There are different hostels and two slightly higher standard establishments, and also the San Bernardo Islands are only 45 minutes away by boat.

Regards.

[GrownMan1]

I have contact with some university girls that you do not find in pages or discos or in the clock tower
Regards.

Your information is good but your reliability is in question. You send me a photo of one girl and I said she was nice. You never responded after that. That was three days ago. I'm not mad at you good luck in your " Chica / gringo connection business.

[Evac305]

The prices vary according to the girl but for the whole night or all day on a yacht in Cholon, they are between 300 K and 500 K COP, my advice is that the night before you go to Cholon, try to meet some girls establish a mutual connection and thus be able to obtain a much lower price, and if you can stay with her from the night before it would be ideal if you are interested I have contact with some university girls that you do not find in pages or discos or in the clock tower and It could come out at a better price.

Regards.

I appreciate the information and hospitality. Unfortunately I'm unable to PM on here to get your contact and take you up on that offer.

[GrownMan1]

Mr Gogo. Is Colombia still requiring all travelers have a PCR exam conducted 72 hours in advance?

There are no requirements currently to come to this country. Pardon me because you did not direct the question to me or the board.

[Mr Gogo]

Mr Gogo. Is Colombia still requiring all travelers have a PCR exam conducted 72 hours in advance?

Hey Adinga,

No tests for entry. But you need a test for entry to America.

[GrownMan1]

I'm curious to know how things would have turned out if you didn't tell her it would be deducted from the agreed price and surprised her with that information at the end of the deed jajaja.

In the words of the great owl. " The world will never find out". I couldn't believe I let someone so petty get in my car for zone. I usually spot those types quickly.

[Adinga]

Mr Gogo. Is Colombia still requiring all travelers have a PCR exam conducted 72 hours in advance?

[Mr Gogo]

Woke at 8 am, no hangover effects from drinking last night, did a few push-ups jumped in the shower and headed out the door for my hour walk to Boca Grande. Met Grownman and Wood at a restaurant and we did the beach walk. Honestly I couldn't feel the beach vibe and I've been to beaches all over the globe. Usually I use the water for therapy but it didn't seem inviting, but I'm sure I will try again. Great eye candy and the hustlers were on us but we just acted deaf and kept walking. The fellas had plans so this allowed me private time to double back on a few waitresses solo. Made plans for later with one girl and stopped for some house supplies (Beer, water, juice, rum, coke and chocolate candy). Damn I forgot food so I walked outside and 8 people were eating some kind of soup. I asked if it was a restaurant here that was open and had good food and she no. Damn this is a different barrio, not even the guy on the corner with old chicken grilling.

The girl sensed my desperation and came to my rescue. She walked in a house two doors away and came back with a paper bowl of soup. Oh shit, my favorite San chocho. Didn't taste better than the Dominican Republic version but hit the spot. I offered to buy the girl and two others a few beers and next thing I know I'm family. Even the drunk Uncle kept trying to talk to me which I played " dumb gringo", no Spanish here sir. He never caught on even though me and the other girl were talking Spanish. He was just a drunk happy to have a new friend who would listen to him.

A few cubby single girls came out of nowhere and joined the party with an occasional glance at the new gringo. I'm glad I wasn't drinking rum yet or big girls would be in play. When I saw a Lee Haney (body building champion) dude come up in a dress I knew it was time to go.

So much for being low key in the hood, they treated the gringo nice.

[Nypher]

Standing outside the clock tower; this young marina walks up to me. We converse a little and she gave me the price of 150,000. On a scale of 1 to 10 she was about a 6 .

She asked for my WhatsApp information and saw my daughter on my phone. She also had a daughter one years old that had a birthday the same day as mine.

Now what a coincidence. Little girls or boys thatI meet that share the same birthday as mine I adopt. I took this as a sign. She will be my choice for the night because I plan on spoiling her a little bit.

We get to my place and she asked for some cigarettes. I gave her 20,000 and she didn't return my change. Then she said she wanted to go and buy a beer. I asked her how much and she said 20,000.

OK here's another 20,000 but that's going to be -40,000 from our agreed price. She left and didn't come back.

Wow how did I almost slipped with a chica that petty. I walked outside thinking I could just grab from the group of Venezuelans that hang outside the hotel.

All of a sudden a very slim no Breast chica came up saying she's a friend of the chica who just left. Would I like to be with her. "Danger Will Robinson danger Will Robinson"! (Lost in space). The computer voice echoed in my head.

Chances are some other gringo gave her a better deal when she went out to get the beer and she figured she already got 40 mil from one gringo for doing nothing and she can get her normal 300 mil from the other gringo.

I'm curious to know how things would have turned out if you didn't tell her it would be deducted from the agreed price and surprised her with that information at the end of the deed jajaja.